Retirement Savings Milestones You Shouldn't Miss

6/21/2018

You’ve probably heard countless times that it’s never too early to start saving for retirement. It’s true, but the road to retirement can feel overwhelming. Having a general rule of thumb for retirement savings by age can help you to reach your goals.

Periodically, it’s a good idea to ask yourself: Am I saving enough? Many aren’t. In fact, 42 percent of Americans have saved less than $10,000 for retirement, according to a 2018 GOBankingRates survey.

But, determining how much you’ll need in retirement can be tricky and varies from person to person. The following questions can help you start thinking about how much you’ll need.

When do you want to retire?

Your planned retirement age can have a significant impact on how much money you’ll need and the goals you should set leading up to the big retirement day. In general, the farther away retirement is the longer you have to save. The sooner you plan to retire, you may need to contribute more to reach your goal.

How do you want to live in retirement?

If your expenses will be the same in retirement as they are now, you’ll want to be sure you have enough saved to maintain your current lifestyle. If you’re planning to have fewer expenses in retirement because your house will be paid off or your kids will be out of college, you may be able to live on less than you are now. But, if your retirement plans include traveling the world, you’ll want to factor in those added expenses.

Do you have a plan for long-term care?

When thinking about expenses that could pop up during retirement, it’s easy to forget to factor in the possible need for long-term care. Seventy percent of those who reach 65 will need some sort of long-term care in their lifetime, according to LongTermCare.gov. Connect with a Farm Bureau agent to learn more about long-term care insurance.

Milestones

The road to retirement can feel overwhelming, but identifying milestones to achieve along the way can help you to reach your goals.

Now’s the time to take advantage of your employer-sponsored 401(k). When you’re just starting out, a good starting point may be saving 10 percent of your salary in your 401(k). You may even want to start an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Investing now can set you on a path toward reaching your financial goals.

And, as you inch closer to 30, one goal you may want to set is having the equivalent of your salary saved.

Having twice your salary is the recommended retirement savings by 35. By cutting debt like student loans while continuing to put money toward your retirement, you’ll be on your way to reaching this milestone.

As your career has become more established, your income has likely increased compared to what you were earning in your 20s and 30s. When your income increases, it’s generally a good idea to put more money toward your retirement and in your savings. In your 40s, strive to increase your retirement contributions by 10 to 15 percent.

This may seem like a big increase, but by cutting expenses and looking for ways to increase your income, you’ll be a few steps closer to the retirement you’ve worked hard for.

By 55, aim to have four to five times of your salary saved for retirement. To help you reach your retirement goals, you can contribute up to $6,000 per year in catch-up contributions to your 401(k) plan (over the $18,000 regular limit).¹

When looking for ways to cut expenses, you may want to consider downsizing your home. If your kids have moved out and you’re not sure what to do with the extra space, a smaller, less expensive house (maybe even a townhome or condo) might be a good move for you financially. It might also be time to trade that SUV you purchased to haul the kiddos around in for a smaller more fuel-efficient sedan.

If you’re planning to retire in your 60s, you’re probably thinking more and more about when to claim your Social Security benefits. While you can currently claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, the full retirement age (FRA) today is 66 or later. If you choose to start your benefits before your full retirement age, your monthly amount will be reduced. This reduction is permanent. It will not increase once you reach full retirement age. Additionally, if you delay claiming your Social Security benefit past your full retirement age, it will result in higher income. It will increase 8 percent each year after FRA, up to age 70.²

You work hard. Retirement is your reward for years of hard work. Taking steps today to help you reach your retirement goals is a good move. Talk with your local Farm Bureau agent to discuss your goals and ways you can achieve them.

Agent must be a registered representative of FBL Marketing Services, LLC to discuss mutual funds or college funding options.

Health insurance policies vary by carrier & individual and may not be offered through all agents or available in all states. Health insurance is underwritten by a variety of insurance companies not affiliated with our companies.

Long-Term Care and Disability Income insurance policies are underwritten by a variety of insurance companies that are not affiliated with our companies.

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